On this day... September 12

In 1953, John F. Kennedy married Jackie Bouvier,

in a match that was blessed by the pope and celebrated by Archbishop – later Cardinal Cushing. Eight hundred people came to the church and a further 3,000 rushed a police cordon to catch the glimpse of the happy couple. Jackie’s father wasn’t there, however – he refused to give her away. Jack met Jackie at a dinner party, where he “reached across the asparagus and asked her for date.” Her mother had always told her to judge a man by his letters – but all she ever got from her intended man was a postcard, saying “Wish you were here. Cheers, Jack.” — from Today’s the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

• In 1943, former Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini was rescued by German paratroopers on orders from Adolf Hitler. Mussolini was being held prisoner by Italian authorities following the collapse of his Fascist regime.

— from The History Place: This Month in History (www.historyplace.com)

In Christian history

• In 1851, Francis E. Clark, American Congregationalist clergyman, was born. In 1881, at age 29, Clark organized the world’s first church “youth fellowship” in Portland, Maine. Clark’s original name for this Christian group concept was “The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor.” — www.studylight.org               

In the Philippines

• In 1896, 13 Filipinos, the “13 martyrs” of Cavite were executed by Spanish authorities at Plaza de Armas near Fort of San Felipe, Cavite City, for joining the Katipunan revolution. With reports of impending plot against the government, the Spaniards reacted swiftly and harshly resulting in the mass execution of the “13 martyrs,” ages ranging from 31 to 64 years. They were rounded up, jailed, and tortured and sentenced to die by firing squad to cow the people to submission. However, their deaths, along with many others in the provinces who joined the revolution, only fueled the revolution leading to June 12, 1898, with General Emilio Aguinaldo’s proclamation of Philippine Independence. In memory of the “13 martyrs,” in 1906 a monument was erected at the place where they were executed. Their families reinterred their remains at the foot of the monument. The capital of Cavite was also renamed Trece Martires in their honor and the city’s 13 villages were named for each of the martyrs. — www.kahimyang.com

In Cebu

• In 1870, Leoncio Avila, editor of “Ang Suga,” composer and playwright, was born.

— from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos